Torch for lighting gas-lamps.



Patented Nov. I2, I90]. J. F, S IMMANCEG. J. ABADY. TORCH FOR LIGHTING GAS LAMPS.

(Application filed Dec. 14, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. SIMMANCE AND JACQUES ABADY, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

TORCH FORLIGHTING GAS-LAM PS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 686,355, dated November 12, 1901. Application filed December 14. 190:0. Serial No. 39,876. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it maybonern:

Be it known that we, JOHN FREDERICK SIMMANGE, residing at 17 Ravenscourt Park,

ain, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Torches for Lighting Gas- Lamps, (for which we have applied for patents in Great Britain, France, and Germany,) of. which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to a means of projecting the flame of a lighting-torch so that it can be used to light incandescent and other burners without the necessity of the torch approaching so close to the burner as to run the risk of damage to the burner or its fittings by an accidental blow from the torch. The torch-flame itself is produced in the ordinary way by burning colza or other suitable oil by means of a wick. When lighting a lamp, we project air mixed with the vapor of spirit or light oil toward the flame of the torch. The spirit-reservoir may be placed immediately below the oil-reservoir, and the heat necessary to vaporize the spirit maybe obtained by conduction from the torch-flame or by solar effect. A small tube leads from the top of the spirit-reservoir, and its mouth is placed near the top of the wick. The spiritreservoir is also connected with a cavity inclosed by a flexible diaphragm, tube, or ball, which can be conveniently operated by the lamplighters hand. On pressing the diaphragm inward a puff of air mixed with the vapor of the spirit is projected toward the torchflame, where it is ignited, producing a long flame in any desired direction. The ignited puff of vapor may be carried a considerable distance inside a tube, (hereinafter called the fiame-tube,) the complete combustion of the ignited vapor being delayed by insuificient oxygenation until it issues from the mouth of the said flame-tube. The flame-tube may be straight or curved, may be detachably fastened to the torch, and can be introduced through a smaller hole in the gas-lamp than that necessary for the introduction of the body of the torch, or a flame-tube may be permanently fastened to each gas-lamp to be lighted by the torch, a bell mouth being formed on the end of the flame-tube outside the lamp-casing.

In order that our invention may be clearly understood, we append a sheet of drawings in illustration.

Figure 1 is a sectional drawing showing the construction of the improved torch. Figs. 2 and 3 are external views showing the windshield and lighting-door in two different relative positions, and Fig. 4 shows a torch provided with a flame-tube.

A is the reservoir containing the colza or other suitable oil, and B is the small flame at the end of the wick O.

D is the reservoir containing the benzolin or other suitable spirit.

E is a small tube leading from the top of the reservoir D. In Fig. 1 its mouth is directed across the flame B, so as to send the long flame in a direction somewhat at right 1 angles to the side of the torch; but the long flame may be given any desired direction by making the mouth of the tube E point in that direction. A small hole is drilled in the side of the spirit-reservoir D, near the top thereof, to give communication between the inside of the reservoir and the annular space K, referred to hereinafter. A small tube leading from the said hole and having its mouth open near the bottom of the spirit-reservoir may be fitted to prevent the spirit being accidentally spilled through the said hole if the torch is not held upright; but this tube F is not necessary for the proper working of the apparatus. 'As shown by the drawings, a pinhole F" may be provided in the bend of the pipe to prevent any possible suction of the spirit into said pipe tending to empty the reservoir D.

The spirit-reservoir D is detachably fas- I tened to the bottom of the oil-reservoir A by a bayonet-joint or screw-joint. The oilreservoir A is screwed onto the end of a metal tube G, which in turn is fastened to the end of the wooden pole H. An annular space K is left between the spirit-reservoir D and the tube G, and this communicates by means of the hole L, drilled along the axis of the pole, and the transverse hole with a cavity M, turned on the outer surface of the pole near its lower end. A piece of rubber N sprung over the cavity M serves as the flexible diaphragm aforesaid. A perforated tubular shield O is fastened by a bayonetjoint P to the outside of the oil-reservoir A. This wind-shield is provided with alighting door Q to give easy access for lighting the torch-flame B. A strip of plate It projects upward from the top of the oil-reservoir A. At one extremity of its turning motion, Fig. 2, the wind-shield O is so arranged as to allow of access to the torch-flame B by means of the door Q. At the other extremity of its turning movement, Fig. 3, only a small hole is left opposite the mouth of the tube B to allow of the long flame due to the spirit being projected toward the burner to be lighted. In an intermediate position the plate R completely closes the lighting-door Q, thus protecting the small flame from the wind as the lainplighter walks from lamp to lamp.

Fig. 4 is a modification of Fig. 1 for a torch provided with a flame-tube T for insertion through a small-hole in the outer casing of the gas-lamp, the body of the torch remaining outside the gas-lamp. A flaine-tube may be permanently fastened to each lamp to be lighted by the torch, the bell-mouth ot' the flame-tube being placed out-side the lampcasing.

The action of the improved torch is as follows: When the oil-reservoir has been screwed to the tube G immediately after filling the spirit-reservoir, the spaces K and M will be filled with air and the top of the reservoir D with a mixture of air and spirit-vapor. On pressing the diaphragm Na mixture of air and spirit-vapor is projected from the mouth of the tube K and,beinglighted by the small flame B, gives the long flame for lighting the gaslamp. On releasing the diaphragm air is drawn into the spirit-reservoir through the tube E and air mixed with the spirit or spiritvapor into the spaces K and M.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is- 1. In a torch for lighting gas-lamps, the combination of an oil-lamp, a reservoir independent of said lamp, and containing volatile spirit, a cavity inclosed by a flexible diaphragm and in communication with the said reservoir, a tube leading from the said reservoir to a point near the wick of the said oillamp,the whole substantially as described and illustrated.

2. In a torch for lighting gas-lamps, the combination of an oil-lamp, a reservoir containing volatile spirit, a cavity inclosed by a flexible diaphragm and in communication with the said reservoir, a tube leading from the said reservoir to a point near the wick of the said oil-lamp, and a wind-shield provided with a lighting-door and capable of turning so as to either give access for lighting the oillamp or to completely stop the said access or to leave a small hole by which the flame from the said volatile spirit may be projected, the Whole substantially as described and illustrated.

3. In a torch for lighting gas-lamps, the combination of an oil-lamp, a reservoir independent of said lamp and containing volatile spirit, a cavity inclosed by a flexible diaphragm and in communication with the said reservoir, a tubeleading from the said reservoir to a point near the wick of the said oillamp, and a flame-tube through which the vapor is carried, after having been ignited by the flame of the said oil-lamp, the Whole substantially as described and illustrated.

4. In a torch for lighting gas-lamps, the combination of an oil-lamp, a reservoir independent of said lamp and containing volatile spirit, a cavity inclosed by a flexible diaphragm and in communication with the said reservoir, a tube leading from the said reservoir to a point near the wick of the said oillamp, a flame-tube through which the ignited vapor is carried, and a wind-shield provided with a lighting-door, the whole substantially as described and illustrated.

5. In a torch for lighting gas-lamps, the combination of an oil-lamp detachably fastened to a metallic tubular stem, a reservoir independent of said lamp and containing volatile spirit, a pole fastened to the lower end of the said tubular stein, a cavity within said pole inclosed by a flexible diaphragm said cavity being in communication with the said reservoir, by means of an axial hole and a transverse hole, the whole substantially as described and illustrated.

6. In a torch for lighting gas-lamps, the combination of an oil-lamp detachably fastened to a metallic tubular stem, a spirit-reservoir detachably fastened to the bottom of the said oil-lamp and lying inside the said tubular stem, a pole fastened to the lower end of the said tubular stem, a cavity within said pole inclosed by a flexible diaphragm said cavity being in communication with the said reservoir, by means of an axial hole and a transverse hole, and a wind-shield of perforated tube detachably fastened to the said oil-lamp and capable of turning relatively thereto, the whole substantially as described and illustrated.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two witnesses.

JNO. F. SIMMANOE. JACQUES ABADY.

Witnesses:

AROHD. SHARP, G. E. EMBLETON. 

